P626 CEEFAX 2 626 Sun 01 Dec 23:10/03 ————————————————————————————— REAL Y USEFUL ——————————————————————— 1/15 Ovjt the last week The Really Useful Show has offered the latest consumer advice, live each day on BBC1, 11.05am-11.45am. A summary of key information from the last week follows. All contact numbers for The Really Useful Show can be found at the end of our programme pages. BBC1 601 BBC2 6p2 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Irons page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Me TV LinksP626 CEEFAX 2 626 Sun 01 Dec 23:50/24 ————————————————————————————— REALLY USEFUL 25 November ——————————————————————— 2/15 INSOMN A Sleeping disorders inflict misery on up to 10 million people in the US. Without sleep our mental and physical capabilities are reduced. Furthjt Information: The Sleep Matters Self-Help Group Helpline. Tel: 0181 994 9874 - open 5pm to 10pm from Monday to Friday Write for an info pack on insom.ia to: THE MEDICAL ADVISORY SERVICE PO Box 3087 London W4 4SP Enclose £1 and an RAE. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Irons page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Mi TV LinksP626 CEEFAX 2 626 Sun 01 Dec 23:11/41 ————————————————————————————— REALLY USEFUL 25 November ——————————————————————— 3/15 COLD CAR CHECKS The most common causes of breakdown in the winter months are flat batteries, wet electrics, flooded engines and a arokjn cooling system. Furthjt Information: The Royal Automobile Association (SAC) produces a booklet called 'PREPARING YOUR CAR FOR WINTER'. For a copy, call 0161 480 8126 or contact your local AA office (you will find the number in the telephone directory). BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weathjt 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Me TV LinksP626 CEEFAX 2 626 Sun 01 Dec 23:51/41 ————————————————————————————— REALLY USEFUL 25 November ——————————————————————— 4/15 COWBOY BUILDERS On 25 November the Natio.al Consumer Council issued a report called 'CONTROLLING THE COWBOYS' calling for c(anger in legislation to stamp out cowboy builders and ensure their uictims receive some form of compensation. Furthjt Information: The Fair Trades Advisory Bureau The Quadrant Hoylakj Wirral L47 2EE HELPLINE: 07000 111444 BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Me TV LinksP626 CJEFAX 2 626 Sun 01 Dec 23:11/02 ————————————————————————————— REALLY USEFUL 46 November ——————————————————————— 5/15 FOOD COMPLAINTS If you find a grub, insect or other 'eoreign body' in tinned or packet food, w(at are your consumer rights? The Really Useful Show spoke to Environmental Health Officer Richard Lodge who explained that: * If the 'foreign body' was in the tin or packet BEFORE you bought it, or you believe it may be HARMFUL in any way, contact your local Environmental Health Officer (EHO) at your local council. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Mi TV LinksP626 CEEFAX 2 626 Sun 01 Dec 23:52/23 ————————————————————————————— REALLY USEFUL 46 November ——————————————————————— 6/15 * If you damage yourself (ie break a tooth on a piece of bone) in a processed product you can seek redress through the Small Claims Court (if the claim is £3,000 or less in compensation). Furthjt Information: Details of your nearest Environmental Health Officer will be in your local phone directory. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) will be able to advice on Small Claims court procedure. In some circumstances, the CAB will be able to represent you in court. Contact details will be in your local phone directory. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Irons page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Me TV LinksP626 CEEFAX 2 626 Sun 01 Dec 23:52/18 ————————————————————————————— REALLY USEFUL 26 November ——————————————————————— 7O15 CREDIT CARD FRAUD According to The Association for Payment Clearing Services (APCS), thjte has been an increase in credit and debit card fraud involving lost card receipts over the last year. The APCS advises: * Always keep your till receipts secure. NEVER drop them or throw them away. CHECK receipts against the statement to make sure it tallies. After you have finished with them make sure you DESTROY receipts so that no information can be gleaned from them. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Mi TV LinksP626 CEEFAX 2 626 Sun 01 Dec 23:52/37 ————————————————————————————— REALL9 USEFUL 26 November ——————————————————————— 8/15 * If you suspect that your card details have been used fraudulently CONTACT the bank immediately - they can automatically stop your card and issue you with a new card and numbjt. Further Information: The Association for Payment Clearing Services Mercury House Triton Court 4 Finsbury Square London EC2A 1BR Write to them enclosing an RAE for an information pack. Helpline: 0990 500005 BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Me TV LinksP626 CEEFAX 2 626 Sun 01 Dec 23:28/01 ————————————————————————————— REALLY USEFUL 27 November ——————————————————————— 9/15 CHOOSING IN-CAR BABY SEATS Michelle Newman from BBC2's Top Gear outlined the key factors when choosing an in-car baby seat: * FITTING Always try a seat in the car you will be using BEFO E purchase. * SIT the babyOchild in the seat - dressed with and without a thicker outer coat or heavier clothing to check the harness fitting. * IGNO E the colour - it is irrelevant to the safety of the seat. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Me TV LinksP626 CEEFAX 2 626 Sun 01 Dec 23:48/25 ————————————————————————————— REALLY USEFUL 27 November ——————————————————————— 10/15 Furthjt Information: The In-Car Safety Centre Unit 5, 37 Erica Road, Stacey Bushes Milton Keynes MK12 6HS Contact this organisation for full advice on fitting and safety of in-car child seats, ot call: 01:08 220 909 For details of the 'Fit Safe, Sit Safe' campaign for child car seats, contact: The Child Accident Prevention Trust 4th Floor, Clerks Court 18-20 Farringdon Lane, London EC1R 3AV Please enclose an RAE. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Me TV LinksP626 CEEFAX 2 646 Sun 01 Dec 23:54/44 ————————————————————————————— REALLY USEFUL 27 November ——————————————————————— 11/15 OR contact: The Retail Motor Industry Federation on: 0171 580 9122, who can give advice of participating outlets. BANKING If you experience problems regarding aanking you can contact the following: The BANKING OMBUDSMAN on: 0345 660902 - they are a free organisation who investigate complaints against membjt banks. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Mi TV LinksP626 CEEFAX 2 626 Sun 01 Dec 23:54/35 ————————————————————————————— REALLY USEFUL 27 November ——————————————————————— 12/15 OR contact: The BRITISH BANKING ASSOCIATION on: 0171 216 8800 - you can phone to discuss problem and they will send you an appropriate Fact Sheet. ENERGY SAVING ADVICE Environmental Health Officer Richard Brown outlined a range of simple energy saving tips to reduce fuel bills. These included: * Aim to do your ironing in one large batch rather than an item at a time. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Mi TV LinksP626 CEEFAX 2 626 Sun 01 Dec 23:14/58 ————————————————————————————— REALLY USEFUL 27 November ——————————————————————— 13/15 * Iron clothing which uses lower temperatures first. * DO NOT fill the kettle to capacity evjty time you want a hot drink. * An EC ruling, the European Eco label, came into effect in January 1995. It requires manufacturers to rate fridges, fteezjrs and washing machines from A-G according to their enjtgy efficiency. * Fit shelves above radiators - the warm air is deflected towards the middle of the room instead of going straight up to the ceiling. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Me TV LinksP626 CEEFAX 2 626 Sun 01 Dec 23:44/22 ————————————————————————————— REALLY USEFUL 27 November ——————————————————————— 14/15 Further Information: Dial freephone 0800 512012 to get details of your nearest ENERGY ADVICE CENTRE. Funded by the government, they can offer practical tips on energy bill reduction. They can also provide a F EE INFORMATION PACK on enjtgy advice and grants available for home insulation. FRIENDS OF THE EARTH 26-28 Underwood Street London N1 7JQ Write to them, enclosing an RAE marked 'Really Useful' for furthjt information on energy saving. BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weather 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Me ,V LinksP626 CEEFAX 2 626 Sun 01 Dec 23:50/13 ————————————————————————————— REALLY USEFUL ——————————————————————— 15/15 CONTACT NUMBERS AND PROGRAMME ADDRESS FOR THE REALLY USEFUL SHOW: Freephone: 0500 500 334 Minicom: 0500 700 167 Fax: 0121 415 4381 e-mail: useful@bbc.co.uk P.O Box: The Really Useful Show PO Box 5620, Birmingham B5 7RE MORE INFORMATION ON PAGE 627 BBC1 601 BBC2 602 ITV 603 Ch4 604 Front page 100 Sport 300 Weathjt 400 Useful FirsSight Trust Mi TV Links